see url:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/29/drones-near-misses-major-uk-airports-heathrow-stansted
Dear Colleagues,
Both the sale and sophistication of drones for the "amateur" market has
increased no end in the UK, particularly at Christmas time. They have
become quite ubiquitous, cheap and easy to purchase with plenty of
variety and outlets. Drones are getting smaller, they have longer
range, increased height capabilities, they have cameras, telescopes, gps
systems, which can get them back home if they get lost. They can also
have many other kinds of remote sensors fitted, at little extra cost,
heat seeking capabilities, etc. Recently, there have been reports here
in the UK about concerns expressed by pilots of commercial and passenger
aircraft who have been "buzzed" or had "near misses" by drones flown by
amateurs near airports. The police say that they, of course, take these
complaints very seriously and are taking measures to catch the culprits
and prevent it from happening. One does wonder exactly what measures
and how many people have been prosecuted.
There are laws of course, which are quite stringent about where one
can fly these things, guidelines and codes of practice on safety and
privacy, and permission to enter the airspace of private property
grounds. And no one wants to stop anyone having a bit of fun with them,
as long as they are operated safely aand quietly.
Putting the two strands together, it won't be long before some
terrorist organisation sees drones as weapons of mass destruction, just
as our government sees them as surgical instruments for killing
terrorists children through collateral damage. The question really...is
how soon...
ATB
Dougie.